Seasonal Allergies, or Allergic Rhinitis/Hay Fever, is caused by airborne allergens and may manifest with symptoms including runny nose, itchy eyes and coughing. Treatment typically includes over-the-counter or prescription medication to alleviate these allergies.
Pollen levels peak during spring, when trees reemerge and release pollen into the atmosphere. Summer brings grass and weed pollen while fall ushers in ragweed pollen season.
Spring
As spring air warms up, trees bloom, grass grows and flowering weeds produce lots of pollen; millions of people begin suffering seasonal allergies as their immune systems misinterpret certain substances as dangerous intruders; their bodies then react by experiencing symptoms such as itchy watery eyes, runny noses and coughs.
Seasonal allergies have various sources, from trees, weeds and grasses to mold and mildew spores – which may all trigger symptoms – to mold spores inhaled directly or attached to hair or clothing and brought indoors where they’re then inhaled again later on.
Allergens can also cause skin reactions when they come in contact with it, leading to hives or itching. Therefore, it is wise to take measures to prevent exposure to allergy triggers.
If you’re experiencing irritating allergy symptoms, consult with your physician on how best to treat them. Common treatments include antihistamines, decongestants and steroid nasal sprays; alternatively you could ask about specific IgE blood testing which measures immunoglobulin E antibody levels against allergens – these tests can pinpoint their source and optimize allergy treatment plans; in addition to medication they may offer lifestyle suggestions to lessen severity of symptoms.
Summer
Summer brings baseball games, outdoor fun and celebration — but for many people, seasonal allergies. High temperatures and humidity exacerbate symptoms by providing an ideal breeding ground for allergens to flourish in.
Tree pollen usually finishes its release by late spring, leaving grasses and weeds as potential allergy triggers during the summer season. Pollen from Bermuda, Timothy and Rye grasses as well as various weed species such as Ragweed Tumbleweed Cocklebur and Mugwort can all act as common allergy triggers during this season. If you suffer from mold allergies then warm and humid summer conditions provide the ideal breeding ground for mold spores to flourish in large numbers.
Allergies occur when our immune systems mistakenly mistake a harmless substance (an allergen) as being harmful and produce antibodies to defend itself against it, leading to unpleasant symptoms like runny nose, watery eyes, itchy eyes and sinus congestion.
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, over-the-counter medicines like antihistamines, decongestants and nasal sprays may provide temporary relief. If symptoms continue or worsen significantly, we may recommend intranasal corticosteroids which are more effective than antihistamines and can be taken year round to combat your allergies at their worst. Furthermore, IgE blood testing can be provided to determine what it is you are allergic to and the best ways to manage them.
Fall
Flowers have faded, temperatures have become cooler, yet you may still be suffering from seasonal allergies. Ragweed, mold and other airborne triggers tend to be more prevalent during fall seasons, making symptoms of allergy even worse.
Allergies usually reach their peak between late August and November, depending on your region. Ragweed pollen and mold spores are two of the primary allergens. As temperatures decrease and humidity drops, more weeds such as ragweed, burning bush, cocklebur, pigweed, tumbleweed and sagebrush start pollinating along with grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, wall pellitory and goosefoot; mold growth becomes increasingly prevalent due to decomposing plant matter and moisture.
Allergies can cause symptoms including runny noses, itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, congestion and more. A physician can help identify the source of your allergy symptoms and recommend an effective treatment plan, often including avoidance strategies, medication and immunotherapy – the latter of which aims to build tolerance against allergens over time, ultimately decreasing symptoms as well as dependence on medications. For optimal results a specialist in allergy care should be seen; they can create an individualized treatment plan as well as recommend over-the-counter or prescribed medications to ease your symptoms.
Winter
Winter allergies might not receive as much consideration, but they still pose significant quality of life implications. By taking preventive steps and managing symptoms accordingly, individuals can significantly lessen symptoms and truly enjoy winter season.
Allergies occur when our immune systems mistakenly identify harmless substances as threats and respond with an exaggerated immune response, unlike colds which require different responses from the immune system to viruses; instead, allergy symptoms result from overreacting of our natural defense mechanisms to substances like pollen, dust mites and food that usually are harmless to begin with.
As we spend more time indoors, allergies to common allergens such as pet dander, mold and wood smoke may resurface, while certain trees and plants continue to release pollen into the winter air, leading to itchy eyes and runny noses.
Climate change is intensifying plant pollen seasons and making seasonal allergies more likely to remain year-round, making medical advice necessary when over-the-counter allergy remedies fail to provide relief.
Avoiding triggers that aggravate allergies is the best way to manage allergies effectively, with symptoms controlled with antihistamines, decongestants and nasal sprays available from both prescription and over-the-counter sources. For individuals experiencing more serious reactions immunotherapy (subcutaneous injections of allergens to be avoided) can reduce allergic responses significantly – usually administered over several months or years in your doctor’s office – often providing long-term relief.
Comments are closed